November 13, 2010

Haye is 24-1 with most of those fights at Cruiserweight, but in recent years has defeated Monte Barrett, Nicolay Valuev, and John Ruiz.

Harrison's chequered career includes an Olympic Gold medal, 27 pro wins and and four losses: to Danny Williams, Dominick Guinn, Michael Sprott, and Martin Rogan. Harrison came back to win the 2nd heavyweight Prizefighter tournament, and most recently he was dominated for 12 rounds by Sprott before scoring a one-punch knockout to win the European heavyweight belt.

At 39, this is realistically Harrison's last title shot; Haye is nine years younger at 30. Haye is much smaller at 210 pounds to Harrison's 250, and Harrison has a slight height advantage, but Haye is a 4-1 favorite to win.

Our live round-by-round scoring commences below.

Round One: Harrison looks far bigger in the ring as Haye is crouching lower in his stance. Little action in the first minute, one jab from Audley. Very defensive fighting so far in first 2 minutes. Boos from the crowd. It's anyone's round to take with a single punch. But they both decline. Draw, 10-10.

Round Two: Flinching from both once again. One minute almost gone and no real shots thrown. Jab from Haye and he lunges in but doesn't follow up. Body shot from Haye. Ref calls for some action. Jab from Harrison. Haye lunges in again, Harrison looks scared whenever that happens but Haye backs off after a few swings. Haye 10-9, total: Haye 20-19.

Round Three: Haye measuring the distance with his left outstretched. Neither can figure out how to close the distance and Harrison isn't even trying. Haye jumps in with a flurry but backs off. Another flurry from Haye and Harrison is very hurt and goes down at 1:30. He gets up barely. Haye jumps on him right away and finishes the fight, stopped by the ref. David Haye winner by TKO.

David Haye the winner by TKO after knocking down Harrison once in the 3rd round. Harrison barely attempted a punch and every time Haye came near him he looked scared to death. Haye fought an extremely conservative fight; judging by the result, if he'd just bulled in in the opening seconds Harrison would have been overwhelmed immediately.

A decent performance by Haye, and a terrible one by Harrison who showed no offense and didn't return fire, tie up, or use effective defense when confronted by any adversity. The only two good things one can say about Harrison is that he got up after he was put down, and that he collected his paycheck.

Haye claimed after the fight that he told his friends and family that he'd knock Harrison out in the 3rd round and that they'd "put a lot of money on it."